Cardiff boss Dai Young has revealed when his eight Wales summer squad members will return to action as he delivered the latest injury update on Josh Navidi.
Back row star Navidi is struggling with a "neurological neck issue" which he picked up in the final Test against the Springboks on the tour of South Africa.
The 31-year-old - who got married in July - has had two injections in a bid to resolve the problem, but could be out for up to six weeks, meaning he will miss the opening few rounds of the United Rugby Championship.
As for Cardiff’s other Wales tourists, prop Rhys Carre has been named on the bench for Friday’s final pre-season friendly at home to Zebre, while Liam Williams, Taulupe Faletau, Josh Adams, Tomos Williams and Dillon Lewis are all set to be involved in the first URC fixture, against Munster at the Arms Park on Friday, September 16, with the blessing of national coach Wayne Pivac. James Ratti has a glute strain, so is a doubt for that fixture.
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Explaining the background to Navidi’s injury, director of rugby Young said: “He did it on the tour in his final game. He came back with a neck injury from there.
“It’s more neurological than structural. He has had two injections in his neck, at the advice of the specialist, to settle any inflammation or any neural pain he is getting. It’s not quite a stinger, but along the same lines in that it’s neurological pain or discomfort.
“We hope the injections will settle it down. The next week or so will determine where he is because it takes a little bit of time for it to work. It could be anything between three and six weeks before he’s back playing.”
On the other Wales tourists, Young said: “I am really pleased how the internationals have turned up for pre-season. They have re-charged their batteries, but they’ve also done the work. They have all turned up in really good condition to be fair to them.
“Apart from Josh, they are all available for the Munster game, with the agreement of Wayne and the WRU, and will all be involved in the 23, maybe with the exception of James (Ratti) who has a bit of a strain and probably has an outside chance of being available.
“We want to start well. It’s important after the way we ended last season that we start as well as possible. Obviously, they can’t all play every game in the first block, so we will have to manage that process. But my intention would be to go as strong as we can for the first game at home.”
On the dialogue with Pivac regarding early season game-time for Wales players, Young added: “I have had no issues with Wayne whatsoever. I have a pretty good working relationship with him. We have always made sensible decisions between the two of us.
“I understand the pressures that he faces and I think he understands the pressures we have got. I have always found him reasonable and receptive. At the end of the day, he wants the regions to do well, just as he wants Wales to do well.”
On the injury front, flanker Ellis Jenkins is back in training after a minor knee operation and should return to action in around two to three weeks. Winger Theo Cabango (shoulder) and hooker Kirby Myhill (hamstring) are on a similar schedule, while centre Ben Thomas (shoulder) will be out until November.
Meanwhile, openside Thomas Young will make his first appearance in Cardiff colours in eight years against Zebre on Friday night, having returned to the Arms Park from Wasps.
Another international, Lopeti Timani, is set to make his debut off the bench having coming on board from Toulon to add physicality to the second row, as well as a running threat in open play.
Cardiff (v Zebre, Friday, 7.15pm): Jacob Beetham; Owen Lane, Rey Lee-Lo, Max Llewellyn, Aled Summerhill; Jarrod Evans, Lloyd Williams; Corey Domachowski, Kristian Dacey, Keiron Assiratti, Matthew Screech, Seb Davies, James Botham, Thomas Young, Josh Turnbull (capt.)
Replacements: Liam Belcher, Rhys Carré, Will Davies-King, Lopeti Timani, Rory Thornton, Teddy Williams, Shane Lewis-Hughes, Gwilym Bradley, Ellis Bevan, Rhys Priestland, Uilisi Halaholo, Mason Grady, Jason Harries, Matthew Morgan.
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